–+–
Ogerpon put on the mask.
Not just brought it along, but actually wore it.
Sera watched as Ogerpon pressed the mask to its face.
Even though she had been prepared for this, a surge of surprise still rippled through her.
Since Ogerpon was classified as the Mask Pokémon and possessed items like the Teal Mask, it only made sense that it would have an appearance for when the mask was actually donned.
Crystalline stones embedded in the mask radiated a dazzling brilliance, shimmering as Ogerpon stood right in the center of the screen.
If the Ogerpon before donning the mask had struck Sera as a naive and innocent little creature, the masked version was different.
All she could see now was the wild, manic grin carved into the Teal Mask.
Just staring at that expression, which seemed to radiate extreme joy and bliss, left the young girl lost in deep thought.
Where, exactly, did this mask come from?
Only now did she begin to seriously ponder the question.
The Teal Mask, containing such incredible power—it was clearly more than just a simple accessory.
“Poni?”
[Ogerpon is worried about you.]
Sera snapped back to reality, realizing Ogerpon had scooted closer to the screen.
It was peering out from slightly behind the mask, its star-shaped eyes filled with concern.
Oh well.
It wasn’t something she needed to worry about right now.
Sera smiled, feeling a sense of relief, and tapped her finger against Ogerpon’s head on the screen to soothe the little creature.
She then dragged the screen to change the map.
Passing through the path of floating rocks at the exit of the Dreaded Den, Sera noticed the map label change to Oni Mountain’s teeth-like cave.
On the small, pixelated map, quite a few Pokémon appeared.
There was a Geodude rolling across the rocky surface and Bonsly hiding in various corners.
Beyond these Pokémon she had already seen yesterday, she also spotted Noibat and Morpeko.
“Even Pokémon from the Galar region are here?”
Sera was a bit surprised.
She was becoming increasingly confused about which game version this environment actually belonged to.
Just as Sera noticed the wild Pokémon, they noticed Ogerpon, too.
“!”
At the same time, Ogerpon looked left and right, immediately appearing as if it were searching for a place to hide.
That won’t do.
The girl shook her head and reached out to tap on the nearby Geodude.
A Rock and Ground-type Pokémon, Geodude was known for having a foul, stubborn temper and being rather rough.
These Pokémon were quick to anger and loved to pick fights with others whenever they were riled up.
As soon as Sera tapped the Geodude, it was jolted awake from the rocky surface.
It let out a roar, its eyes widening as it glared at Ogerpon.
“Geodude!”
The simulator screen shifted instantly, entering battle mode.
That said, it was really just the familiar scene of her own Pokémon standing with its back to the Trainer, while the opponent stood in front.
“Poni-oh?!”
Suddenly attacked, Ogerpon waved its arms frantically in a panic, almost instinctively trying to run away.
But if Ogerpon ran off, today’s mission would be a total bust.
Sera pressed down on Ogerpon’s head, causing the little creature to freeze.
Seizing the opening, the Geodude launched its first attack.
[Geodude used Tackle!]
The rock-like Pokémon hopped and bounded toward Ogerpon.
The Geodude Sera had chosen wasn’t a high level; by the system’s calculations, it was only two levels higher than Ogerpon.
Forget Ogerpon—even if Sera encountered this in real life, she could dodge it just by stepping aside.
But Sera still felt a twinge of worry.
Ogerpon’s personality was truly too timid, and she hadn’t seen it fight before.
Could that Tackle actually land?
The young girl watched the simulator in her hand, her heart slowly tightening.
–+–
“Geodude!”
Ogerpon stared blankly at the Geodude barreling toward it.
In a moment, it would be hit.
Ogerpon didn’t want to fight other Pokémon, but just a moment ago, its head had been gently petted.
The person watching didn’t want it to run away.
…Why?
Ogerpon racked its brain to figure it out.
It didn’t have a very clever head.
Up until now, Ogerpon had always lived a life of drifting with the tide, never needing to think.
But now, if it couldn’t find an answer, that presence might disappear suddenly, just like it had last night.
A sharp pain suddenly tugged deep within Ogerpon’s heart.
It realized something.
If I can’t stay close without fighting, then I’ll fight!
“Poni-ah!”
–+–
[Ogerpon used Vine Whip!]
Ogerpon, which had been standing frozen before the Geodude, suddenly sprang into action.
It swung its sleeves, and slender, winding vines extended from beneath its mask.
Moving with incredible speed, they lashed out, striking the Geodude before it could even complete its approach!
Though Ogerpon looked petite, the Vine Whip didn’t carry much of a display of power.
Yet, under Sera’s gaze, it managed to hold off the Geodude’s tackle and then whip it right back! The source of this chapter is g.com.
[It’s super effective!]
“Geodude—!”
[Geodude is out of stamina; battle concluded.]
Sera was stunned all over again.
She had specifically chosen the opponent, but even though Geodude was four times weak to Grass, these types of Pokémon usually had decent physical durability.
And yet, despite being two levels lower, Ogerpon had defeated the Geodude in a single hit.
That’s some serious power.
But this was good news.
Since Ogerpon’s offensive capability was this impressive, completing the mission to defeat ten Pokémon would be simple.
Keep up the good work, little one!
Sera was still thinking purely in terms of the mission.
Still, as encouragement, she petted Ogerpon’s head again, causing the little one to let out a cry.
“Poni-oh~!”
[Ogerpon lets out a sigh of relief.]
[Ogerpon is feeling very happy.]
Before pushing the advantage to pick the next opponent, the girl looked at the Geodude that had been knocked away by Ogerpon, and fell into thought.
[You fed the Geodude a delicious Oran Berry.]
Pokémon don’t disappear after being defeated?
Sera watched with emotion as the Geodude stood up, picked up the Oran Berry, and began to chew.
A moment later, with its strength restored, the Geodude called out toward Ogerpon.
“Geodude!!!”
[Geodude has acknowledged Ogerpon; Ogerpon’s prestige has increased slightly!]
Oh, ho?
There’s a prestige system too?
The girl nodded, quite satisfied with her own move.
If she was going to dominate Oni Mountain, bribing minions was clearly part of the strategy.
Sera was never short on berries; giving one to a Geodude was a total breeze.
Just as Sera was feeling smug about her strategy, the simulator suddenly chimed with a notification.
“Poni-ah—!”
[Ogerpon is a little jealous.]
[Ogerpon is jumping up and down in front of you.]
“…”
[You fed Ogerpon a delicious Oran Berry.]
[Ogerpon is happily eating it!]
[Ogerpon’s affection for you has increased!]
[Current Affection: 15]
–+–